GUARDIANS
Guardians 8” x 8” Oil on Board
I’m not sure why i’m feeling inclined to paint a winter scene in the middle of the summer!… I took this photo a few years ago and suddenly it needs painting! 🤷♀️
Process shots
Leamington Spa, where I live, has many tree-lined avenues and I will always go out of my way to walk down one on my way into town if I can.
It’s nice to feel that there are things around you that existed before you did and will continue to exist when you are gone. I always think - with my house - I do not own it - it owns itself…it looks after me, like it has many people before.
The tall tree trunks and tree lined pathway in this image felt like a gateway, down a well trodden path where you feel protected and guided.
It may be winter but there are subtle colours in there…I liked the interplay of lights and darks & warms and cools (established first with a tonal underpainting) and the way all the different shapes slotted together to form an interesting visual pattern (see process shots above). I can tell at this stage whether or not it will be a succesful painting. If I’m not feeling it at this point, then it’s unlikely to work.
Trying to be mindful of ‘aerial perspective’ when choosing my colours
If I turn 180 degrees from where I took the photo and face the other way - I see the ‘East Lodge’, gateway to the park…only here, in the painting below, it is autumn.
Other paintings from the same park, again, in autumn include:
The East Lodge
Archery Lawn
The Blue Bridge
From the Aviary looking to Mill Gardens
Archery Lawn
The Blue Bridge